Significance
Descriptive?“From Dan to Beersheba”Meaning the entire length of IsraelJudges 20:1; I Samuel 3:20; II Samuel 24:2, 15Reference from united kingdomRelevance to northern kingdom?Dan on northern frontierBethel on southern frontierSame ideaOpposites of Dan and BethelTopographically oppositeGeographically oppositeSpiritually oppositeBethel
First excavated in 1927Continuous digs to 1960One find posited to be Abram’s altarCanaanite tombs, houses, olive pressesCanaanite templeFortified around 1750 BC – LuzCity gates were found in piecesDestroyed early 12th century BCNew settlement built after destructionSkip to later – captured by Vespasian in 69 ADCrusadesCrusaders took it in 12th century AD and built churches thereThe name means, “House of God”Today it is the village of BeitinFirst seen in scripture in Genesis 12Lies in the very rocky terrain of Israel’s central ridgeJacob’s vision – Genesis 28:10-22He used a stone as a pillow for his sleep.After the vision, he consecrated the stone – poured oil on its topNamed it “God’s House” or Bethel“Mansion over the hilltop”Jacob flees to Bethel – Genesis 34-35Canaanites had a king thereDefeated by Joshua and sons of IsraelCeded to BenjaminBorder townBetween Ephraim and BenjaminBetween Israel and Judah after splitDuring conquest, Benjamites failureDidn’t drive out JebusitesHouse of Joseph went up against BethelThe Lord was with them – Judges 1:21-22Later (Judges 20-21)Bethel center of ops – Israel versus BenjaminPlace of council in aftermathDeborah judged Israel (Judges 4:5)From under a palm treeBetween Ramah and BethelSamuel – circuit judge (I Samuel 7:15-17)Four-town circuitBethel, Gilgal, Mizpah, RamahSaul’s encounter after being anointed by SamuelDan
Near headwaters of JordanOccupied more than 6,000 years agoAbandoned about that timeRebuilt 1,000 years laterFree-standing mud brick archesOldest ever foundCalled Abraham’s gateConquered by Tuthmosis III in 15th century BCTel Dan Stele – 9th century BCStele heralded initial conquestAssyrian Tiglath-Pileser IIIIncluded “David King of Israel”Other Historical info confirming scriptureDigs confirm idolatrous practicesLittle mention prior to Jeroboam’s ruleAbram defeated forces of Sodom and Gomorrah thereDescriptive “north-to-south” statementsCenter of northern migration of tribe of DanDanites impatience – spies go north (Judges 18)Find LaishTake small forceSeize Levite and the idols of MichaCapture Laish, named it DanJeroboam
Jeroboam’s concernLife, power – I Kings 12:26-33Made two golden calvesPlaces them in Bethel and DanDesignated a feastPosted priestsMade sacrificeProphecy of Josiah’s reforms – I Kings 13The abominable calves
Major subject of idolatrous worshipMultiple regional cultures used calves, bullsEgypt – where Israel spent 400 yearsCrete – where Philistines frequentedPersia – to the eastAnatolea – to the northIndia – farther eastSome lessons
Don’t hang our hat on a town’s reputationDon’t compromise faith for life or powerDon’t have a “when in Rome” attitude
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